First Lithuanian satellite to be launched in honour of Darius and Girenas

In 1933, the transatlantic flight of Steponas Darius and Stasys Girenas brought fame to Lithuania, as it was a significant event for the fields of science and engineering, writes delfi.lt.

Vytenis Buzas and Laurynas Mačiulis, the creators of the first Lithuanian satellite,
decided to name it ‘LituanicaSAT-1’ in commemoration of the 80th Anniversary
of Darius and Girėnas’ heroic flight.

For their flight,
Darius and Girėnas purchased and remade a single-engine aircraft, which was
used for long-haul flights during the interwar period. Although Darius and
Girėnas were flying in extremely adverse conditions, without a radio, autopilot
or any other modern navigation devices, their flight is still being considered
one of the most navigationally precise flights in aviation history. Similarly,
‘LituanicaSAT-1’, adhering to the popular ‘cubesat’ standard, is a unique
nano-satellite, created by a team of young Lithuanian scientists, informs delfi.lt.

In order to
commemorate the Darius and Girėnas’ flight, the ‘LituanicaSAT-1’ team is
finalising the satellite system’s integration works.

The radio
communication equipment, which will broadcast from the cosmos in Lithuanian, is
already tested by the researchers Simonas
Kareiva and Dr. Karolis Petrauskas
from Vilnius University and an amateur radio operator Žilvinas Batisa.

The flight
computer, integrated satellite sensors, and camera, which will send the first
pictures from the cosmos to Lithuania, are also being tested by researchers Vytautas Valaitis, Marius Dvarecas and Donatas Srėbalius from Vilnius
University.

The antenna
deployment mechanism has also been developed. All of these satellite components
meet NASA’s high technical requirements and operate as a unified system. When
‘LituanicaSAT-1’ is launched into orbit around the Earth, it will explore space
and test Lithuanians’ developed technologies in extreme conditions.

A team of 30
Lithuanian scientists, researchers and engineers, who live not only in
Lithuania, but also far beyond its borders, is working on the ‘LituanicaSAT-1’
satellite. The project is also being supported by 22 organisations and
companies.

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